Shirley said the forum and its associations encouraged its members to participate in Share the Road workshops. Run around the country for several years now, they educate both heavy vehicle drivers and cyclists on how better to share the road with each other.

The forum has also lobbied the Government for greater separation of cyclists from other road users, and better facilities for cyclists where possible.

"We are also working with NZTA to investigate ways in which to make rural roads safer for cyclists," Shirley said.

Cycling Action Networks spokesman Patrick Morgan said Gromer's death highlighted the need for better training for drivers of heavy vehicles.

Five of the seven most recent cyclist fatalities had involved a truck, he said, and he encouraged all cyclists and truck drivers to attend the Share the Road workshops.

He believed said the Government was not moving quickly enough to protect people on the roads.

"It's been 2½ years since the Cycling Safety Panel recommended 15 high-priority actions to make our roads safer ... Nothing has come out of the recommendation to investigate truck safety features.

"Roads with wide shoulders are safer for everyone, and we call on Hastings District Council to make quick progress on fixing black spots like Brookfields Rd."

A council spokeswoman said a cycle lane was due to be added to Brookfields Rd by the end of this year.